What began as a routine field investigation led to the uncovering of a 2,000-year-old cemetery, with relics that shed light on life in the region during ancient times. The find was announced by the Inowrocław county authorities, who revealed that the burial site was discovered on farmland where potatoes had been growing just a week prior.
The excavation was carried out under the direction of Dr. Józef Bednarczyk, on behalf of the Provincial Conservator of Monuments. According to Marcin Woźniak, director of the Jan Kasprowicz Museum in Inowrocław, the cemetery had been under threat from years of agricultural activity and illegal treasure hunting. "The cemetery, dating back two millennia, was damaged by intensive farming and especially by unauthorized metal detector searches. Archaeologists from Poznań discovered the site during surface surveys, leading to nearly a year of preparation before full-scale excavations began," he explained.
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A dual-burial cemetery with warriors' graves
One of the key findings from the site is that it was a bi-ritual cemetery, meaning it included both cremation and inhumation (burial of intact bodies). This combination is unusual and provides insight into the diverse burial customs of the community that lived there. Notably, the excavation team discovered graves of two warriors who had been buried with their shields and spears. These remains will now undergo analysis by anthropologists.
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Among the uncovered artifacts was a Roman bronze coin, a sestertius bearing the likeness of Empress Crispina, the wife of Emperor Commodus, known to many from the film Gladiator. Other significant finds included spearheads, shield components, knives, and brooches, hinting at the material culture and craftsmanship of the time.
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Unveiling lives along the Amber Road
The significance of the Wierzbiczany site lies in its location along the Amber Road, the ancient trade route that connected the Baltic coast to the Mediterranean. "The settlement complex in Gąski-Wierzbiczany was a crucial hub on the Kuyavian stretch of the Amber Road," explained Woźniak. "It was home to traders, artisans, and guards who facilitated the flow of goods. Ironically, by studying their graves, we learn about their everyday lives."
The archaeological team also found well-preserved skeletal remains, which will allow paleogeneticists to extract and analyze DNA, offering a deeper understanding of the ancestry and health of the population. Conservators are now set to restore the metal artifacts, and further studies will help reconstruct the social and economic structure of the community.
(jh)
Source: Radio ZET, Powiat Inowrocławski